Worried tenants call helpline

Scotland’s largest social landlord has made almost 100,000 welfare calls to tenants during the coronavirus crisis – leading to vital help being given to some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

Housing officers and community engagement officers at Glasgow Housing Association, part of Wheatley Group, have carried out regular phone checks with tenants to see what they can do to help those affected by lockdown.

Housing officers at GHA, which has 40,000 homes across Glasgow, have been working from home during the pandemic, but have been available for customers and their families.

So far, GHA’s army of housing officers and community engagement officers have made 96,000 welfare calls, supporting customers with new Universal Credit claims and seeing what can be done to support them through the crisis. They have also been checking in with people who live on their own, those over the age of 69 and people who are shielding to make sure they have what they need.

People who are struggling have been offered Wheatley’s suite of wraparound services, such as EatWell food parcels, fuel advice and welfare benefits advice.

GHA managing director Jehan Weerasinghe said: “We are here to help.

“Customers tell us of the difference these calls have made on an almost daily basis.

“We know that people have been hard-hit in a number of ways by the coronavirus crisis – from loss of income to feeling isolated to not being able to get to the shops.

“Since the start of lockdown, we have been making sure that we are in touch with the people who need us most, even though we can’t see them in person.

“Our focus has been on talking to them for longer, more frequently – every day in some cases – and ensuring that those who are in crisis get help straight away.

“There are so many ways we can help and these calls are one really important way we can make sure that people who need help get it quickly.”